Province of Hainaut

- 50 KM – 3 h

PROVINCE OF HAINAUT

Landscapes of the Escaut plain

On the move all summer!

In BRUSSELS, from 25 June to 3 September, the “Tourism and Gastronomy" exhibition will offer you a chance to discover the many assets and treasures of Wallonia. Every two weeks, one Province will be given pride of place. However, we know there’s nothing like getting out and about if you’re looking for an in-depth experience, so why not try one of our “Gastronomic Treasure Trails"?

All the treasure trails are free and available from 25 June to 16 September 2012, (except for the Charleroi Pays de Geminiacum Treasure Trail). Simply turn up on one of the dates mentioned below and enjoy a delicious free welcome treat to send you on your way!

Province of Walloon Brabant
NIVELLES / Along the streets / On foot / Free breakfasts on Sundays 1 and 8 July
Rural excursion / By bicycle
Rural excursion in the “Roman Païs” / By car
Province of Liège
LIEGE
EUPEN / The historic centre of Liège / On foot / Free breakfasts on Saturdays 14 and 21 July
An encounter with Tchantchès and Simenon / On foot
The Eastern Cantons: nature, lakes and regional specialities / By car / Free breakfasts on Sundays 15 and 22 July
Province of Namur
NAMUR / Namur for the inquisitive and for gourmets / On foot / Free breakfasts on Wednesdays 1 and 8 August
Castles, vineyards and farms around Namur / By car
Province of Hainaut
CHARLEROI
MONS
TOURNAI / The Charleroi region, as you have never seen it before! / On foot / Free breakfasts on Saturdays 11 and 18 August
Regional products and heritage in the “Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse” / By bicycle or car
Pays de Geminiacum treasure trail / By car or bicycle / Treasure trail available only on Wednesdays 15 and 22 August
Heritage, Tourism and Gastronomy at the heart of Mons / On foot / Free breakfasts on Saturday 11 August – Free afternoon snacks on Saturday 18 August
From the “Château Montois” to “Caillou-qui-bique” / By car / Free breakfasts on Saturday 11 August
From “Caillou-qui-bique” to the “Château Montois” / By car / Free afternoon snacks on Saturday 18 August
The historic heart of Tournai / On foot / Free breakfasts on Saturdays 11 and 18 August
Landscapes of the Escaut plain / By car
Province of Belgian Luxembourg
ARLON / A small breath of Arlon air / On foot / Free breakfasts on Saturday 25 August and Sunday 2 September
A large breath of Arlon air / On foot

INFORMATION: – Freephone: 0800 11901 (in French)

or 0800 11902 (in German)

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SNCB BELGIAN RAILWAYS, TRAVEL SMART!

Travel to the starting points of our treasure trails with a “Weekend” ticket, which offers you a 50% discount on the price of a return journey by train.

If you are doing one of the treasure trails on a weekday in July and August, opt for the “Summer” ticket which also offers you discount on the price of a return journey by train.

For more information, visit

THE SUMMER GASTRONOMY TREASURE TRAILS

Discovering Wallonia, from Tournai to Eupen,from Nivelles to Arlon...

Does the summer sunshine make you want to get out and about?

Starting at the Espaces Wallonie, roads, streets, paths and tracks will lead you over hills and down valleys to discover the treasures of Wallonia. Heritage, gastronomy, landscapes and outstanding historic sites - there is something for everyone.

To ensure all participants, especially the gourmets, get off to the best of starts with a full stomach, free breakfasts or afternoon snacks will be available on certain days.

And, before starting your trails, why not find out more about the wealth of services offered by the Espaces Wallonie: from information about housing to debt conselling, from Equal Opportunities to the regional, federal and community mediation services, plus a range of regional publications and exhibitions. In short, a modern administration, close to your needs and ready to answer all your questions.

But, enough said, now it’s time to get on your bicycle, pull on your walking boots, or climb inro your car and take to the road...

COMPETITIONS THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER...

for those who enjoy a challenge...

The guide to each treasure trail includes a set of questions. Write your answers in the spaces provided, drop it off at the Espace Wallonie reception or letterbox when you have finished and you could win a prize!

Prizes

Every month:

A gourmet basket worth €60 will be awarded to the first correctly completed answer form pulled out of the hat at the end of July, end of August and end of Septembe in each participating Espace Wallonie.

(Except for the Pays de Geminiacum treasure trail, where the prize draws will be held on 15 and 22 August only for a gourmet basket worth €50).

On the days when free breakfasts or afternoon snacks are offered (see table)

A voucher worth €150 for accommodation in Wallonia.

The prize draws will take place on the first working day following these days.

Two free return tickets for second-class travel on Belgian railways

offered by SNCB Belgian Railways. The prize draws will take place on the first working day following these days.

Prize winners will be informed by email, telephone or post.

Will you be the “Gourmet treasure trail (wo)man” of the summer?

There will be another prize draw for a special prize for participants who submit completed questionnaires for at least one treasure trail per province between 25 June and 16 September. To enter this draw, please ask for your entries to be validated at each Espace Wallonie.

The prize is a voucher worth €500 for accommodation in Wallonia and the draw will be held at the end of September.

PROVINCE OF HAINAUT

Landscapes of the Escaut plain

Bonus!

Free breakfasts on Sundays 11 and 18 August, from 9am to 10am at the ESPACE WALLONIE DE TOURNAI, 19-21 Rue de Wallonie, 7500 TOURNAI.

On these days, final departure at 4pm. Completed answer forms must be placed in the box at the Espace Wallonie before 6pm.

This treasure trail is free of charge and is open to all from 25 June to 16 September

Treasure trail by car

Time required: about 3 hours

Distance: 50km

Accessible by accompanied reduced-mobility participants

INFORMATION and CONTACTS

• From Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5pm

ESPACE WALLONIE DE TOURNAI, Rue de la Wallonie, 19-21, 7500 TOURNAI – Tel: +32 (0)69 532 670 – E-mail:

• At weekends:
• OFFICE DU TOURISME DE TOURNAI, 14, Vieux Marché aux Poteries, 7500 TOURNAI – Tel : +32 (0)69 222 045

E-mail:

• Maison du Parc naturel des Plaines de l’Escaut, Rue des Sapins, 7603 BON-SECOURS – Tel : +32 (0)69 779 810

E-mail :

MISCELLANEOUS:

If you would like to follow the treasure trail in a group of more than 10 people, please inform us in advance by e-mail or telephone.

Landscapes of the Escaut plain

This treasure trail starts at Bruyelle, a 10-minute drive from Tournai.

To get to the start from the Espace Wallonie in Tournai, follow this route:

Make your way down the Rue de la Tête d’Or to the Carrefour – GB supermarket, then turn right onto the Rue des Clairisses, and follow this road to the Carrefour des Résistants roundabout.

From the roundabout turn onto the Chaussée de St-Amand (you will pass the hospital on your left) and continue for 5.2 km.

At the roundabout, go straight ahead along the Chaussée de Tournai for 1.2 km until you reach the Self Drink Bruyelle.

START: from the Self Drink Bruyelle, Chaussée de Tournai, 7641 Bruyelle.

 Tastings of local produce available.

N.B.: Do not park your car for the day at the Self Drink Bruyelle. Please leave the car park free for customers.

Take Chaussée de Tournai towards Tournai, and turn left at the church onto the Rue du Petit Pavé.

Then follow the numbered hexagonal Route paysagère signs for the rest of this treasure trail (referred to as SIGN +number below).

SIGN No. 17 - BRUYELLE

QUESTION 1

In what way does Bruyelle church differ from other religious buildings in the region?

Consecrated in 1927, the present-day church replaced one destroyed in 1918. It stands near a solitary poplar tree with branches laden with mistletoe and has an unusual bulbous spire. It is built of Tournai limestone.

QUESTION 2

What is the name of the castle which can be seen behind the large group of poplar trees?

The castle’s name recalls the alder trees, which used to grow in large numbers in the marshy soil here. Its estate covers part of the flood-plain of the River Escaut and used to be owned by the Chastel de la Howardries family. The building is a strict example of the Classical style and is made up of several concentric rectangles, surrounded by a moat, a French-style garden, meadows, woods and a ditch around the 20-hectare park.

SIGN No. 18 - TAINTIGNIES

QUESTION 3

What causes the change of altitude in Taintignies?

From Le Wailly, you can admire the harmonious landscape with its pronounced relief: the level rises by about 20m over a distance of 600m. The meadows, orchards and terraced fields which follow each other render the landscape attractive and reminiscent of the Ardennes.

SIGN No. 19

QUESTION 4

What is the name of the small paths which wind around the village of Petit-Rumes?

The meadows and village are criss-crossed by a network of small paths which bear witness to the old agricultural landscape. Before the advent of cars, most peasants walked everywhere and created shortcuts to get from one house to another or to get from their homes to their places of work.

QUESTION 5

What name is used to describe the shape of the village roofs in Taintignies?

The village of Taintignies contains preserved traditional rural buildings which demonstrate the expertise of local builders, which can also be seen in Déroberie, Clairmaie and Petit-Rumes. Look up as you drive past: not only do they have traditional-shaped roofs, many have religious and other symbols decorating their facades or gables. Many of these details are made from terracotta, which was cheaper than stone and which has given the village’s buildings their characteristic reddish-brown appearance.

SIGN No. 20

QUESTION 6

What is the name of the stream that flows behind the screen of alders, willows and poplars?

The stream hidden behind the trees has cut a large semi-circle in the landscape which crosses the Route paysagère again further on, before flowing into the River Elnon. Several hypotheses have been put forward to explain the stream’s unusual name: some say it is derived from Houffalize (the name of the former landowner) while others say it comes from Hufaluise,(a deformation of the German word meaning “ancient forest”) and others say it took its name from the berets (faluches in Walloon dialect) worn by the local peasants who walked along a path which ran along the bank of the stream to pay their feudal dues to the Lord of the Manor.

SIGN No. 21

QUESTION 7

What marks the border between Belgium and France?

Howardries is the village with the smallest population but the largest land area in the Brunehaut region. It is surrounded by particularly attractive woods which are carpeted with daffodils, hyacinths and wood anemones in the Spring. The daffodil walk, which is held every year in mid-March, passes through the village and attracts thousands of walkers. Between 1918 and 1940, the paths through the woods were used by smugglers of tobacco and other goods between France and Belgium.

SIGN No. 22

QUESTION 8

Which village in the Brunehaut region is famous for its magnificent orchards?

In October each year, this village holds a three-day Apple Festival organised by the local apple-farmers, which includes tours of the apple orchards in a special road-train, tastings of local produce, exhibitions and dances. These festivities are a good opportunity to meet local artisans and farmers. You can buy fruit direct from the orchards between 1 August and 31 May.

Apart from its orchards, the village is famous for being the first village in Belgium to be liberated by Belgian troops during the Second World War.

“Summer Gastronomy Treasure Trail” Special – DETAILS AT THE END OF THE BOOKLET

(Les Vergers de Brunehaut)

SIGNS No. 22 AND 23

QUESTION 9

Which of these three signs has been awarded to the “Le Millésime” restaurant:

a) Gault Millau

b) Ferme gourmande

c) Tables du terroir ?

 Le Millésime restaurant occupies an old mansion. When the weather is fine, you can eat on the large terrace next to the restaurant. Mathieu Campener, the chef, offers an excellent-value menu of French dishes, prepared with fresh regional produce, and he pays special attention to presentation. For three years running, he has been awarded the Golden Willow Prize by the jury of the Fins Gourmets des Plaines de l'Escaut (Escaut Plains Gourmets’ Club) for promoting regional produce in his recipes.

On 11 and 18 August 2012, the restautants Le Millésime, and Sel et Poivre are offering special “Summer Gastronomy Treasure Trail” menus! (Restaurant contact details at the end of the booklet)

QUESTION 10

Name three beers brewed at the Brunehaut Brewery.

The Brunehaut Brewery is one of 14 artisanal breweries in the Wallonie Picard region which have joined forces to form the “Wapi-Brasseurs” association. The Brunehaut brewery is family-run and combines tradition and modernity. It has won a series of awards. Its top-fermented beers undergo a secondary fermentation in the bottle. The brewery uses the latest equipment and quality-control processes to ensure its beers taste consistantly good. It produces and exports 11 different beers grouped into three product families: abbey-style beers, organic beers and regional-style beers. Its newest product, launched in January 2012, is a beer sold in bottles shaped like the Antoing region. The brewery is open all year round from Monday to Friday, from 8.30am to 5pm, and visitors can tour the brewery, taste the beers and then stock up at the brewery shop!

SIGN No. 23

QUESTION 11

How many hectares do the Lesdain nurseries cover?

The world-famous Lesdain nurseries were founded back in the Napoleonic era. They sell a wide range of garden plants, fruit trees and ornamental trees, including rare species. In total they offer over 300 species of tree from a stock of around 4 million trees. Their staff are happy to advise customers on their choice of plants and trees. Those who enjoy hiking or rambling can have a go at the 6km Lesdain nursery trail which will reveal all the treasures of these special places. Each year in early September, the nurseries organise an unmissable Rose and Nurseries Festival.

“Summer Gastronomy Treasure Trail” SPECIAL – DETAILS AT THE END OF THE BOOKLET

(Foucart Nursery)

SIGN No. 24

QUESTION 12

What are the measurements of the Brunehaut Stone, including the visible part and the part hidden underground?

The Brunehaut Stone is the largest standing stone in Belgium and is believed to weigh 23 tonnes. It is a 5,500-year-old piece of sandstone from Grandglise near Beloeil and many local legends mention it. One legend says it commemorates Queen Brunehault of Austrasia, who is said to have been tortured for three days on the orders of King Clotaire II of Neustria, before being dragged behind a wild horse to this spot, where she died.

QUESTION 13

The Brunehaut Stone is surrounded by four trees of which species?

Nobody knows whether this type of tree was originally wild or whether it is an artificial hybrid. You can see it at crossroads, in squares, along canals and near buildings all over Europe. When visiting the Brunehaut Stone, take a moment to admire the magnificent 360° views over the surrounding countryside. On a clear day, you can see 18 landmarks, including the St Charles Belfry, Taintignies church, Tournai Cathedral, the sugar refinery at Fontenoy and the water tower at Maulde.

QUESTION 14

How many wind turbines can you see from the Brunehaut Stone?

These wind turbines are used to generate electricity and were the first to be built in this part of Wallonia, in a quiet countryside location.

AFTER SIGN No. 24

QUESTION 15

What can you read on the base of milestone on the Bavay-Velzeke Roman road?

When this region was part of the Roman Empire, this was one of the major roads in Northern Gaul. Today it runs for 85km along the Franco-Belgian border and is still visible in the landscape. Close to it are four major archaeological sites or museums: the Bavay Forum (archaeological museum of the Nord département in France); the Ath Gallo-Roman Site (Belgium), the Archéosite and Museum at Aubechies-Beloeil (Belgium) and the Provincial Archeological Museum in Velzeke (Belgium). Along the road, a series of milestones showed either the distance to the next town, or the distance to the border of the nearest city's territory.

A guide to the Roman road is available free of charge at the four sites mentioned above and at local tourist information centres.

QUESTION 16

What is the name of the chocolatier in Hollain, not far from the Sel et Poivre restaurant?